Train unloader



Sept. 18, 1956 Filed Aug. 18, 1955 E. M- BELL TRAIN UNLOADER 5 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Edward M. Bell IN V EN TOR.

BY WW E Sept. 18, 1956 BELL 2,763,382

TRAIN UNLOADER Filed Aug. 18, 1955 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Z Fig.9

Fig 3 Edward/14.88 INVENTOR.

Sept. 18, 1956 E. M. BELL TRAIN UNLOADER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 18, 1955 Edward M. Bali" INVENTOR.

BY w w mm United States Patent TRAIN UNLOADER Edward M. Bell, Sidney, Tex.

Application August 18, 1955, Serial No. 529,090

11 Claims. (Cl. 214-62) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in unloading mechanisms, and more specifically to an improved train unloader.

Although there have been devised many devices for dumping the contents of railroad cars, such dumping apparatus is normally limited in use to a minimum number of cars for it is so devised whereby the car is not properly supported for a complete dumping operation. 'It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved car dumping apparatus which is so constructed whereby cars may be pushed on the unloading apparatus and automatically completely dumped as they pass about the unloading apparatus with the unloading or dumping operation being substantially continuous.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved train unloader which includes a plurality of 'fiat bed cars having rail sections mounted thereon for receiving railroad cars to be dumped, the flat bed cars being arranged in a continuous loop and being adapted to receive an entire train with the train passing onto the flat bed cars, being dumped by a tilting movement of the hat bed cars and then moving thereolf, the flat bed cars being primarily motivated by the engine for the train being unloaded.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved train unloader which is in the form of a plurality of flat bed cars for carrying individual train cars to be dumped, the flat bed cars being provided with means for :clamping the cars to be unloaded thereto in order that the cars to be unloaded may be completely dumped without being provided with any. special mechanisms.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved clamping mechanism for clamping dump cars to be dumped to flat bed cars, the clamping mechanism being of such a nature whereby it is automatically set .after a car has been positioned on a fiat bed car and is automatically released immediately prior to the removal of the railway car from the flatbed car.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improved track arrangement whereby there is provided :a lead track and a return track of a railway which is so arranged with respect to rail sections carried by flat bed cars whereby railway cars to be dumped may be continuously pushed upon the fiat bed cars and moved about panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

Figure l is atop plan view of the train unloader-Which is the subject of this invention and :shows the general arrangement :of the components thereof, railway cars to be dumped being shown in dotted lines intheir dumping position;

:Figure 2 is .an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken through a fiat portion of the train unloader and shows the arrangement of the endless track of the train unloade'r, one of the flat bed cars thereof, clamping means carried by the flat bed car, a dump car to be dumped mounted on the fiat bed car and auxiliary support rails for the clamp'means; v

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the specific details of several of the flat bedicars and the clamp means carried thereby and the relationship between the clamp means and railway cars to be dumped;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken through a portion of the train unloader wherein a car to be dumped is in an initial tilted position and shows the details of the various features of the train unloader;

Figure 5 isan enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Figures 2 and 4 and shows the railway car in its full dump position;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse .sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 5 and shows the mounting for the outer end of an aXle of one of the flat bed cars;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View of one of the rails of the lead track and shows the relationship thereof with respect to one of the rail sections carried by one of the flat bed cars;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indi cated by section line 8-8 of Figure 7 and shows the specific details of a wheel or roller carried by the lead track rail for riding engagement on one of the rail sections of the flatbed car;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken through the upper part of the clamp means and shows the general details of the means for actuating the clamp means; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line Ill-10 of Figure 2 and shows the manner in which a carriage for a portion of the clamp means is adjustably carriedby a part of one of the support arms,

Referringnow to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the train unloader, which is the subject of this invention, is best illustrated in Figure l. The train unloader is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10 and includes a circular track which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12.

As is best illustrated in Figure 2, the circular track 12 includes a pair of lower rails 14 and 16 which are initially vertically disposed, and a pair of normally horizontal rails 18 and 20 which are carried in vertical spaced relation with respect to the rails 14 and 16, respectively, by standards 22 and 24.

In order that a dumping operation may be permitted, the endless track 12 is twisted in the central portion thereof,-as is bestillustrated in Figure 1. Accordingly, adja cent the beginning of the twisted portion of the endless track '12, the rail 14 is mounted on a rclatively shallow standard 24. A relatively higher standard 25 is provided for the rail 616. At the same time, the standard 22 is changed in shape so as to'position the rail 18in the same relation to the .rail 14. The rail 20 is increased in size '38, a horizontal portion 40 and an inwardly and downwardly sloping portion 42. The rail 14 is carried by the vertical portion 38 at its intersection with the base 36.

The rail 16 is carried by the upper part of the vertical portion 38. The rail 18 is still carried by the support or standard 22 which is now disposed closely adjacent the "base 36. Further, the rail 20 is carried in depending relation by the horizontal portion 40 of the column or standard 30.

From the foregoing description of the mounting of the rails 14, 16, 18 and 20, it will be readily apparent that a car passing along these rails will move from ahorizontal "position to a gradually tilted inwardly directed position,

then to a position disposed at more than 90 to the horireturned to its normal horizontal position.

Carried by the endless track 12 is an endless series of fiat bed cars, each of the flat bed cars being referred to in general by the reference numeral 44. Each flat bed 7 car 44 includes a fiat bed 46 which extends inwardly past the inner rails 14 and 18 of the endless track 12. Supporting the bed 46 by means of suitable hangers 48 and '50, as well as axles 52 are flanged wheels 54 and 56.

The wheels 54are disposed on the inner side of the endless tra-ck 12 and engage the rails 14 and 18. The wheels 56 engage the rails 16 and 20.

Carried by the flat bed 46 of each flat bed car 44 inter mediate the ends thereof is a horizontally disposed hanger 58 which carries a horizontally disposed flanged wheel 60, The flanged wheel 60 engages the rail 18 at right angles to the wheel 54.

In the normal position of the flat bed car 44, the wheels 54 and 56 engage the rails 14 and 16 in a normal manner. However, as the fiat bed cars 44 are tilted in their movement about the endless track 12, there is a tendency for the wheels 54 and 56 to move upwardly into engagement with the rails 18 and 20. At the same time, the wheel 60 moves down into engagement with the rail 18 and helps to support the flat bed car 44 on the endless track 12.

As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the flat beds 46 of the flat bed cars 44 are disposed in end-to-end relation and connected together by a suitable pivotally mounted coupler 62. Further, carried by the upper surfaces of the upper surfaces of the flat beds 46 are rail sections 64, the rail sections 64 having a gauge equal to the gauge of the railway cars which are to be dumped.

Referring now once again to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that leading into the train unloader is a lead track which is referred to in general by the reference zontal, then the car will be reversely tilted, and finally conventional gauge and construction for the railroad cars which are intended to be unloaded or dumped by the train unloader 10. The tracks 66 and 68 include rails 70 which are of the same gauge as the rail sections 64.

As is best illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the rails 70 of the track 66 slope downwardly in overlying relation to the rail sections 64. Carried by the base of each rail 70 is a plurality of hangers 72 carrying rollers or wheels 74. The wheels 74 ride upon the track section 64 and support the free ends of the rails 70 with respect to the rail sections 64. Thus, when the flat bed cars 44 move about the endless track 12, the track sections 64 will move under the rails 70 and support the rails 70 in positions for leading railway cars onto the track sections 64. The rails 70 of the return track 68 are mounted in the same relation with respect to the track sections 64, with the exception that the free ends thereof are disposed immediately adjacent the upper surfaces of the track sec- .4 tions 64 in order that railway cars may ride up onto the return track 68 from the flat bed cars 44.

Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional type of dump oar whose contents are to be dumped by the train unloader 10, the dump car being referred to in general by the reference numeral 76. The dump car 76 includes a dump type body 78 supported by axles 80 and wheels 82. When mounted on the flatbed cars 44, the Wheels 82 engage the rail sections 64. V

In order that the dump cars 76 may be retained on the flat bed bars 64 during a dumping operation, there are provided clam-p means which are referred to in general by the reference numeral'84.

The clamp means 84 includes a cantilever arm which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 86.

Extending upwardly fro-m that portion of the fiat bed 46 disposed inwardly of the endless track 12 are inner supports 88 and outer supports 90. Carried by the supports 88 and 90 are rails 92 and 94. The rails 92 and 94 overlie rails 96 and 98, respectively, carried by the flat bed 46.

The lower part of each arm 86 includes a carriage which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 100. Each carriage 100 includes a frame 102 carrying axles 104. Mounted on the ends of the axles 104 are wheels lll6 which engage the'rails 92 and 96, and 94 and 100, respectively. At least one axle 104 of each carriage 100 includes a differential 108 which is driven by an electric motor 110. In this manner, the clamp means 84 may be adjusted along the fiat bed cars 44.

Each arm 86 is formed in halves with each of the halves being of a channel-shaped cross-section and facing each other, the halves being referred to by the reference numeral 112 as best illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. The arm 86 includes an upper arcuate generally horizontal portion 114 and a lower .arcuate, generally vertical portion 116. Engaged with the halves 112 of the arcuate portion 114 is a carriage which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 118. The carriage 118 includes a body 120 supported by suitable wheels 122 engaging the jhalves 112.

Guidingly mounted on the body 120 and extending therethrough is a vertically disposed rack 124. The rack 124 is engaged by a gear 126 carried by an armature shaft 128 of an electric motor 130. The electric motor 130 is mounted on the upper side of the body 120. Carried by the lower end of the rack 124 is a normally horizontal clamp member 132. As is best illustrated in Figure 3, each of the flat bed cars 44 is provided with one of the clamp means 84, and accordingly, each clamp member 132 is arranged so as to clamp an end portion of a dump car 76.

Carried by the generally vertical portion 116 of each arm 86 is a carriage which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 134. The carriage 134 includes a body which is supported relative to the halves 112 of the arm 86 by wheels 138 in the same manner as is the body 120.

Extending horizontally through the body 136 and guided relative thereto is an elongated rack 140. Engaged with the rack 140 is a gear 142 carried by an armature shaft 144 of an electric motor 146. Carried by the inner end of the rack 140 is a vertical stop member 146 which is intended to engage the inner side of the dump car 76.

In order that the clamp members 132 and the stop member 146 may be automatically centered with respect track 12, the standard .30 is directly upright. Extending inwardly from the upper end of the standard is a plate 152. Depending from the plate 152 is an upper rail 154 which is disposed in vertical spaced relation to a lower rail 156 carried by a mounting block 158.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the plate 152 is still mounted on the upper end of the standard 38, but on the sloping portion 28 thereof. Also, the rail 156 is mounted on the sloping portion 28 by means of the block 158. In .Figure 5, due to the twisting of the entire train unloader 118, the plate 152 is carried by the lower end of the downwardly and inwardly sloping portion 42, and the rail 154 is now in a generally horizontal position. The rail 156 is in a similar position and is supported by the :block 158 with the block 158 depending from the portion 42 of the standard 36).

Carried by the inner and upper end of each of the arms 86 is a wheel 160. The wheel 160 engages the rails 154 and 156 and serves to help support the dump car 76 during the dumping operation thereof. In order that the wheels 1.60 may take a portion of the load of the dump car 76, the bracket of each flat bed car 44 is provided with an elongated slot 162 through which the axle 52 passes, as is best illustrated in Figure 6. This permits a slight shifting of the fiat bed 46 with respect to the axles 52 and the wheels 56 which are maintained in fixed positions by the rails 16 and 20.

Carried by certain of the plates 152 immediately adjacent the connection of the lead track 66 with the fiat bed cars 44 are overhead Wires 164 and 166 which have connected thereto wires 168 and 170, respectively. Carried by each arm 86 is a pick-up contact assembly 172 which is :engageable with the wires 164 and 166.

Accordingly, as dump car 76 is urged onto one of the flat bed cars 44 and the dump car '76 and the flat bed cars on which it is mounted move about the endless track 1 2, the contact 172 will engage the wires 164 and 1 66 Ito energize electric motors 130 and 146. This will result in the moving of the clamp member 132 and the stop member 146 into the railway car retaining positions illustrated in Figure 2. While it has not been specifically illustrated, it is to be understood that the electric motors 130 and 146 will be provided with suitable clutch mechanisms so as to limit the pressure applied on the railway car 76.

From the foregoing description of the clamp means 84, it will be readily apparent that each dump car 76 will be retained in its proper position on the flat bed cars 44 in the movement of the flat bed cars 44 about the endless track 12 so that the contents of the dump cars 76 may be dumped into a pit or the like (not shown) at the maximum tilting position of the train unloader 10.

Referring once again to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that carried by one of the plates 152 adjacent the beginning of the return track 68 are overhead wires 174 and 176 to which are connected wires 17% and 180. As the flat bed cars 44 move into alignment with the ends of the return track 68, the pick-up contact assembly 1 72 will engage the wires 174 and 176. The Wires 174 and "176 will then energize the "electric motors 13d and 146 so as to drive them in opposite directions "from that pre yiously described. This will result in the automatic releasing of the dump car 76.

From the foregoing description of the train unloader 10, it will be readily apparent that once the individual clamp means 84 are properly adjusted on-t'he flatbed cars 44 for clamping the dump cars to be dumped, an entire train may be run upon the train unloader 10 and dumped in a continuous operation. in the dumping operation of a train, the caboose or the train will be removed and @the rear car slowly pushed upon one or more of the fiat bed cars 44, depending upon the length of the car to be dumped. The brakes of the car Will be momentarily set so that the endless cars 44 will move about the endless track 12. As this rear car 76 passes along the endless track 12 on the flat bed cars 44, those clamp means-84 overlying the car 76 will be energized so as to effectively position the rear car on the plurality of flat bed cars 44. The brakes on this rear car 76 may then be released. The cars of the train are continuously backed onto the fiat bed cars 44 with each of the cars 76 being progressively clamped by the clamp means 84 in the manner described above. This operation is continued until the rearmost car is backed entirely around the train unloader 10, during which time the contents thereof are dumped, and it is released from the clamp means 84 and returned upon the return track-68. At this time the engine (not shown) of the train may be disconnected from the remaining cars and run around to the return track 68 Where it will be then coupled with the endmost dump car 76. The train may then be pulled about the train unloader 19 with the individual cars thereof being progressively dumped.

It is to be understoodthat the train unloader 10 is primarily intended for use in dumping full size gondola cars of a train. However, the size of the train unloader It may be varied depending upon the particular type of damp car to be dumped.

In the event the train to be dumped is limited to a relatively few number of cars insuflicient to completely fill the train unloader 10 whereby they may be pushed around by an engine located either on the: lead track 66 or the return track 68, the flat bed cars 44 may be moved about the endless track 12 by means of motor power in the form of a power source 132 which is suitably coupled to the flat bed cars 44. The connection between the power source 132 and the fiat bed cars 44 may be in the form of a gear on the power source 182 and a rack on the undersides of the flat beds-46.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown "and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of fiat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track section, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump'cars to said fiat bed cars.

2. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, ailead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated withsaid track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said .flat bed cars, said lead and return tracks being continuously engaged with said track sections "whereby said flat bed cars may be moved about said endless track by :being pushed by a long train of dump cars on said fiat bed cars.

3. A train unloader comprising ,an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, .an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being .arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said fiat bed cars, means for automatically actuating said clamp means adjacent said lead track, and means for automatically releasing said clamp means adjacent said return track.

4. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said clamp means including an arm carried by certain of said flat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car.

5. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having'a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars'disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said fiat bed cars, said clamp means including'an arm carried by certain of said flat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each' of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, self-centering means carried by said arms for aligning said clamp member with a dump car.

6. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an

endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said clamp means including an arm carried by certain of said flat bed-cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, a horizontally adjustable stop member carried by said arm for engagement with a side of a dump car for supporting a dump car in a tilted dumping position.

7. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said clamp means including an arm carried by certain of said fiat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, a horizontally adjustable stop member carried by said arm for engagement with a side of a dump car for supporting a dump car in a tilted dumping position, said clamp member and said stop member being mounted on carriages adjustably mounted on said 8. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on 8 said cars formovement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track cornmunicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said clamp means including an arm carried by certain of said flat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, a horizontally adjustable stop member carried by said arm for engagement with a side of a dump car for supporting a dump car in a tilted dumping position, said clamp member and said stop member being mounted on carriages adjustably mounted on said arm, means interconnecting said carriages, and self-centering means between said carriages and said arm for aligning said clamp member and said stop member with a dump car.

9. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means carried by said cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said clamp means including an arm carried by certain of'said fiat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, said arm having an end remote from said flat bed cars provided with a wheel, an elevated rail assembly, said wheel engaging said elevated rail assembly for supporting said arm and said flat bed cars in tilted positions.

' 10. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of flat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said ears, for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated with said track sections, a return track communicatedwithisaid track sections, and clamp means carried by saidcars for clamping dump cars to said fiat bed cars, saidiclamp means including an arm carried by certain of said-flat bed cars in overlying relation to said track sections, a vertically adjustable clamp member carried by each of said arms for engagement with an upper part of a dump car, means for automatically actuating said clamp means adjacent said lead track, and means for automatically releasing said clamp means adjacent said return track.

11. A train unloader comprising an endless track, said track having a gradually transversely tilted portion, an endless series of fiat bed cars disposed on said endless track for movement thereon, track sections mounted on said cars -for movement therewith, said track sections being arranged in an endless relation, a lead track communicated; with said track sections, a return track communicated with said track sections, and clamp means .carried bysaid cars for clamping dump cars to said flat bed cars, said lead and return tracks being provided with supportingwheels continuously engaged with said track sections whereby said flat bed cars may be moved about said endless track by being pushed by a long train of dump cars on said flat bed cars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 282,125 Simar et al. July 31, 1883 

